Queen Elizabeth II Biography

Queen Elizabeth II was Queen of the United Kingdom from 6 February 1952 until her death in 2022. Her reign of 70 years and 214 days was the longest of any British monarch and the second-longest recorded of any monarch of a sovereign country. When her father died in February 1952, Elizabeth-then 25 years old—became queen regnant of seven independent Commonwealth countries: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon (known today as Sri Lanka), as well as Head of the Commonwealth. Elizabeth reigned as a constitutional monarch through major political changes such as the Troubles in Northern Ireland, devolution in the United Kingdom, the decolonization of Africa, and the United Kingdom’s accession to the European Communities and withdrawal from the European Union. Her many historic visits and meetings include state visits to China in 1986, Russia in 1994, the Republic of Ireland in 2011, and visits with five Popes. Significant events include Elizabeth’s coronation in 1953 and the celebrations of her Silver, Golden, Diamond, and Platinum Jubilees in 1977, 2002, 2012, and 2022, respectively. In June 2022, after France’s Louis XIV, she became the world’s second-longest reigning monarch in history. She overtook Thailand’s King Bhumibol Adulyadej who ruled for 70 years and 126 days between 1927 and 2016. Her Majesty made her first theatrical film debut in the comedy crime movie The Brain in 1969. But, her role was uncredited. She made her first TV show appearance in the comedy TV series The Jackie Gleason Show in 1953. She was nicknamed Lillibet, Betty, Her Gracious Majesty, and Defender of the Faith. She died on 8 September 2022 at Balmoral Castle, Aberdeenshire. She was succeeded by her eldest son, Charles III. 

Queen Elizabeth II Dies at 96; Was Britain’s Longest-Reigning Monarch

Queen Elizabeth II, the UK’s longest-serving monarch, has died at Balmoral aged 96, after reigning for 70 years. She died peacefully on Thursday afternoon at her Scottish estate, where she had spent much of the summer. Her son King Charles III said the death of his beloved mother was a “moment of great sadness” for him and his family and that her loss would be “deeply felt” around the world. He said: “We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother. “I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.” During the coming period of mourning, he said he and his family would be “comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held”. The King and his wife, Camilla, now Queen Consort, will return to London on Friday, Buckingham Palace said. He is expected to address the nation on Friday. Prime Minister Liz Truss, who was appointed by the Queen on Tuesday, said the monarch was the rock on which modern Britain was built, who had “provided us with the stability and strength that we needed”. Her reign spanned 15 prime ministers starting with Winston Churchill, born in 1874, and including Ms. Truss, born 101 years later in 1975. At Buckingham Palace in London, crowds awaiting updates on the Queen’s condition began crying as they heard of her death. The union flag on top of the palace was lowered to half-mast at 18:30 BST and an official notice announcing the death was posted outside. On the Queen’s death, Prince William and his wife, Catherine, became the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Cornwall. 

The royal family announced her death online, saying she had died peacefully. The announcement did not specify a cause.

Queen Elizabeth II Famous For

• Being the Queen of the United Kingdom. 
• Being the longest-reigning monarch in British history.

Who are Queen Elizabeth II Parents?

Queen Elizabeth II was born as Elizabeth Alexandra Mary on 21st April 1926, in Mayfair, London, England, United Kingdom. She took birth at 02:40 (GMT). She was born to Albert Frederick Arthur George (George VI) and Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon, daughter of Scottish aristocrat Claude Bowes-Lyon. Elizabeth II is the granddaughter of King George V and Queen Mary. She held British nationality and her ethnicity is Mixed as she has English, European Royal, traces of Anglo-Irish, Hungarian, French, and German with some amount of Irish, Dutch, Scottish, Danish, Belgian, Swedish, and Bohemian/Czech ancestry. She along with her sister Margaret started her education at home and learned history, French, mathematics, geography, dancing, singing, and art. She then received private tuition in constitutional history from Henry Marten, Vice-Provost of Eton College, and learned French from a succession of native-speaking governesses. Later, she was enrolled as a Sea Ranger. Her unruffled childhood took a decisive turn when her grandfather King George V passed away and her uncle Edward VIII abdicated the throne to be with his lady love and twice divorcee Wallis Simpson. Consequently, Elizabeth’s father was crowned king and she became the crown princess and next in line to the throne. Her religion is Anglicanism. For the last time, she celebrated her 96th birthday as of 2022. 

Queen Elizabeth II Life Story and Career Timeline

• After Britain entered the Second World War in September 1939, Elizabeth and her sister were shifted to ‘Balmoral Castle,’ Scotland where they stayed until the Christmas of 1939. They were later sent to Sandringham House, Norfolk amidst growing concern over their safety.
• In 1940, the 14-year-old, Elizabeth made her first radio broadcast during the BBC’s Children’s Hour.
• In 1943, Elizabeth undertook her first solo public appearance on a visit to the Grenadier Guards, of which she had been appointed colonel the previous year.
• A year later, she made her first solo public appearance and visited the infantry regiment. 
• She also served as one of the five counselors of state in July 1944 when her father King George VI went on a trip to Italy.
• In 1945, she was appointed to the ‘Women’s Auxiliary Territorial Service’ as an honorary second subaltern. Here, she was trained as a driver and mechanic. Within a few months, she became junior commander of the regiment.
• She was inducted into the Welsh Gorsedd of Bards at the National Eisteddfod of Wales in 1946. 
• Princess Elizabeth went on her first overseas tour in 1947, accompanying her parents through southern Africa. 
• In 1951, owing to her father’s declining health, she visited Canada and the USA in his stead.
• When she toured Canada and visited President Harry S. Truman in Washington, D.C., in October 1951, her private secretary, Martin Charteris, carried a draft accession declaration in case of the King’s death while she was on tour.
• On 6 February 1952, they had just returned to their Kenyan home, Sagana Lodge, after a night spent at Treetops Hotel, when word arrived of the death of George VI and Elizabeth’s consequent accession to the throne with immediate effect.
• She chose to retain Elizabeth as her regnal name; thus she was called Elizabeth II, which offended many Scots, as she was the first Elizabeth to rule in Scotland. 
• She was proclaimed queen throughout her realms and the royal party hastily returned to the United Kingdom.
• After her return from Kenya, it was anticipated that the royal house would bear the name of her husband and henceforth be known as the House of Mountbatten.
• The British prime minister, Winston Churchill, and Elizabeth’s grandmother, Queen Mary, favored the retention of the House of Windsor, so Elizabeth issued a declaration on 9 April 1952 that Windsor would continue to be the name of the royal house. 

• In 1960, the surname Mountbatten-Windsor was adopted for Philip and Elizabeth’s male-line descendants who do not carry royal titles.
• Her coronation took place at Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953. It was the first ever coronation ceremony to be televised.
• She visited the United States in 1957 and addressed the United Nations General Assembly as a representative of the Commonwealth Nations. The same year, she also visited Canada and opened the session for the 23rd Canadian parliament, becoming the first monarch of Canada to do so.
• During the 1960s and 1970s, the African and Caribbean countries were rapidly decolonizing and becoming sovereign states. 
• During the Australian constitutional crisis, her decision not to interfere in the constitutional matter of the country helped speed up Australian Republicanism.
• While riding a horse near ‘Buckingham Palace,’ as part of a parade during her birthday celebrations in June 1981, she was shot by a teenager named Marcus Sarjeant. Fortunately, she didn’t get hurt. 
• Following the victory of the 1991 Gulf War, the queen addressed a joint session of the United States Congress, becoming the first British monarch to do so. 
• During her speech in 1992, she described the year as ‘annus horribilis‘, meaning the horrible year; the year commemorated her 40th anniversary as the queen.
• In October 1997, Elizabeth and Philip made a state visit to India, which included a controversial visit to the site of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre to pay her respects. Protesters chanted “Killer Queen, go back”, and there were demands for her to apologize for the action of British troops 78 years earlier.
• In 2002, the queen celebrated her golden jubilee as monarch, and embarked on a trip across her realm, starting from Jamaica in the Caribbean. 
• In 2010, she addressed the United Nations for the second time. A year later, she visited the Republic of Ireland, becoming the first British monarch to do so.
• The Queen’s 2012 Diamond Jubilee marked 60 years on the throne, and celebrations were held throughout her realms, the wider Commonwealth, and beyond. 
• In July 2012, she opened the Olympics and Paralympic games.
• Later in the year, she also became the first sovereign, after King George III, to participate in the peace-time Cabinet meeting.
• The Queen surpassed her great-great-grandmother, Queen Victoria, to become the longest-lived British monarch on 21 December 2007, and the longest-reigning British monarch and longest-reigning queen regnant and female head of state in the world on 9 September 2015.
• She became the oldest current monarch after King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia died on 23 January 2015.
• She later became the longest-reigning current monarch and the longest-serving current head of state following the death of King Bhumibol of Thailand on 13 October 2016, and the oldest current head of state on the resignation of Robert Mugabe on 21 November 2017.
• She became the first British monarch to celebrate her sapphire jubilee (65th anniversary) in 2017. Philip had retired from his official duties as the Queen’s consort in August 2017.
• In 2021, she received her first and second COVID-19 vaccinations in January and April respectively. 
• Despite the pandemic, the Queen attended the 2021 State Opening of Parliament in May, and the 47th G7 summit in June.
• The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee began on 6 February 2022, marking 70 years since she acceded to the throne after her father’s death. During the Platinum Jubilee celebrations, the Queen was largely confined to balcony appearances and missed the National Service of Thanksgiving.
• On 13 June 2022, she became the second-longest reigning monarch in history among those whose exact dates of reign are known, with 70 years, 127 days reigned-surpassing King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.
• On 6 September 2022, she appointed her 15th British prime minister, Liz Truss, at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, the first and only time she did not receive a new prime minister at Buckingham Palace during her reign. 

Who is Queen Elizabeth II married to?

Queen Elizabeth II was a married woman. She got married to Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark, her second cousin through King Christian IX of Denmark, and her third cousin through Queen Victoria, on 20 November 1947 at Westminster Abbey. Philip was made Duke of Edinburgh and granted the style of His Royal Highness just before the marriage. Her Majesty met Prince Philip for the first time in 1934 and then in 1937. When she was 13 years old, The Queen fell in love with him and they started sending letters to each other. The Queen was 21 when their commitment was formally reported and their engagement was officially announced on July 9, 1947. The couple had 4 children together, Charles, Prince of Wales (b. November 14, 1948 ); Anne, Princess Royal (b. August 15, 1950); Prince Andrew, Duke of York (b. February 19, 1960); and Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex (b. March 10, 1964). Between them, they gave their parents eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Elizabeth II and Prince Philip’s marriage lasted 73 years until the death of Prince Philip on 9 April 2021. In 1969, she declared Prince Charles as her successor and bestowed upon him the title Prince of Wales. Prince Charles got married to 19-year-old Diana Spencer in 1981. 

Everything To Know About Prince Andrew

She was very fond of dogs and has owned more than 30 dogs during her rule. As of 2020, she has a dorgi named Candy. One of her dogs named Vulcan sadly passed away in December 2020. She was gifted a cross between a corgi and dachshund named Fergus in 2021 by Prince Philip during his final days in hospital in April and was also given another dog of the same breed named Muick in the same year. Sadly, Fergus passed away in May 2021 at just 5 months old. 

How Rich is Queen Elizabeth?

As of 2022, the net worth of Queen Elizabeth II was estimated to have $500 Million. This is largely thanks to her extensive property holdings and inheritance from her father, King George VI. Her investment portfolio and various other sources of income also contribute to her wealth. The British royal family has long been supported by taxpayer funds, dating back to an agreement made by King George III in the late 18th century. The Sovereign Grant is a fixed annual payment that is paid out to the royal family from public funds. In 2021 and 2022, the grant amount was set at just over 86 million pounds. These funds are used to cover a variety of expenses, including the costs of travel, security, and official engagements.  The Sovereign Grant is just one of the many sources of income for the British royal family. Other sources include private investments, property rentals, and proceeds from the sale of official merchandise. The royal family’s real estate portfolio is worth an estimated $17 billion. This includes not only palaces and official residences, but also a large number of private homes and properties that are leased out to generate income. The most valuable property in the royal portfolio is Buckingham Palace, which is estimated to be worth around $1.55 billion. Other notable Royal properties include The Crown Estate: $19.5 billion, Buckingham Palace: $4.9 billion, The Duchy of Cornwall: $1.3 billion, The Duchy of Lancaster: $748 million, Kensington Palace: $630 million, The Crown Estate of Scotland: $592 million. The Crown Estate is one of the largest property owners in the UK, with a portfolio that includes retail parks, offices, apartments, farmland, forests, and rivers. In June 2021, the Crown Estate announced a net revenue profit of $312.7 million for the 2021–2022 financial year. This was $43 million more than the previous year. The increase was largely due to higher rental income from office and retail properties. The value of Sandringham House is estimated to be around $65 million. The official residence of the queen, Windsor Castle is one of the largest inhabited castles in the world. The value of Windsor Castle is estimated to be around $490 million. Privy Purse referred to as “The Duchy of Lancaster” is a portfolio of properties and assets dating back to the 14th century that provides private income to the British monarch. The Duchy of Lancaster website states that, as of March 2022, the Duchy had $652.8 million of net assets, resulting in a net surplus of $24 million. The royal family’s art collection is one of the most extensive and valuable in the world, with an estimated value of $5 billion. The collection includes works by some of the most famous artists in history, such as Rembrandt, da Vinci, and Michelangelo. The royal family’s investment portfolio is thought to be worth around $3 billion. This includes a diverse range of assets, such as stocks, bonds, and private equity. Her Majesty leaves behind over $500 million in personal assets from her 70 years on the throne, which Prince Charles will inherit when he is crowned king. She uses these products on a regular basis – Wilkin & Sons, Charbonnel Et Walker Ltd, Walkers Shortbread Limited, Tate and Lyle Sugars, Schwartz, Twinings, James White Drinks Ltd, John Walker & Sons Ltd. 

How tall was Queen Elizabeth II?

Queen Elizabeth II was a beautiful woman with a charming smile and a glowing face. Her body build was average. She stood at the height of 5 ft 1 in or 155 cm. Her well-maintained bodyweight consisted of 58 kg or 128 lbs. Her natural hair color was dark brown. Due to her advancing age, her hair has turned ‘White’. She had a pair of blue eyes. She had short curly hair. She wore a shoe size of 6.4 US or 37 EU. Her previous gourmet expert expressed that she cherishes being around her pets, and staying aware of the animals helps her stay fit. She likewise doesn’t fixate on what she eats, which at first can be difficult to accept.